Say I found a piece of rock
And put it in my pocket
And for the day that we are wed
I put it in a locket
Which is to hang around your neck
As long as you see fit
Well, tell me, o my love
Do you think that you would wear it?

And on the day that threatens
That the earth might open up
The birds have stopped their singing
And the insects have shut up
And all that's left between us
Is some al-homdillillilie
Oh would you split it with me, baby
So that I wouldn't die?

And after all these things
Is a question I must ask
When everyone has called me out
And said I am the worst
And asked for voices on my side
My love, would you sing first?
Would you say, "He's okay,
He's better than the rest ;
He's innocent in god's eyes
And in mine, he is the best"?

Read

Three Questions Lyrics

here.

Quick outtake from my shoot with the band Ivan & Alyosha.

UPDATE:  Megan Seling's review of the show is up on the Stranger's Lineout blog.

========================

the Catch & friends at Chop Suey!

$7. Doors at 8pm.

Good times. Great oldies!

 

3/4's of the Catch is reuniting for the biennial tradition of Disney Cover Night this Wednesday at Chop Suey.  Garrett Lunceford & Andrew Moore and joining me, Carly & Alissa for 4 or so songs (Amy is too busy with school to take this on right now, unfortunately). There is a bit of instrument / role juggling; I'm playing base on a song, tambourine on two others and singing one more.  My chops are a bit rusty, so don't expect much.  It's been awhile!

Me in my wilder days.

Photo by Breanne Curran

 

Telekinesis are up on Spin.com as a SXSW "band to watch" with an image from our shoot.  They also have and exclusive stream of "I Saw Lightning", a song off of the new album which comes out later this month on Merge Records.  Bonus points if you can tell me which band member does triple duty with some bands on Barsuk. 

 

 

 

Say Hi has a rather large and loving write-up in the Stranger this week, using one of the images from our session.  I'll be at the cd release show tonight at Neumos.  If you see me be sure to well, um... say hi.

 

The new Say Hi album, Oohs & Aahs, comes out March 3rd on Barsuk.  Sarah and I had some fun with Eric over at the Anne Bonney.  Big thanks to Spencer for chaperoning on his day off.

 

 

 

Shot last night with Eric of Say Hi at the Anne Bonney (thanks Spencer!).  His album, Oohs and Aahs, releases March 3rd on Barsuk. I couldn't hold back on sharing this one.

From a recent shoot on Vashon Island with new Merge Records band Telekinesis.  More to come as soon as I dig myself out of the blogging backlog.

 

to assist Autumn on a shoot for the Decemberists again.  Looking forward to seeing what she has planned.  I'll be off & on (mainly off) email until Thursday.

I shot the Seattle stop of Metallica's Magnetic Death tour last night and holy crap do they put on an incredible show.  The huge stage was plopped in the center of the stadium and we were given free range to roam its perimeter for 19 minutes.  Yes, their first three songs lasted a full 19 minutes.  That's like two thirds of a local indie rock show!  We were treated to laserbeams, blinding spotlights and lit coffins that descended from the ceiling, hovering around the band like spaceships.  There were microphones in every corner and three additional on each long side of the rectangular stage.  James would come to one for a verse then stomp over to the other side of the stage.  Each band member would move to a different position every 30 seconds or so, often just as we'd reach their corner to shoot.  They'd cross this way, then that way. Then that way, and this way.  Have you ever seen a metal band cross this way and that?  (forgive me. i couldn't help myself).  We must have looked ridiculous.  5 lost photographers chasing the band around the stage.  I felt like a slimy backpacking paparazzi.  Regardless, the show was unforgettable.

Memories of AC/DC are firmly rooted in my early adolescence.  Back in Black became the soundtrack to junior high when a friend received the tape as a gift at one of those rare boy-girl basement / parents stayed upstairs birthday parties.  The play button clicked as I sat on the outside edge of a spin the bottle game.  When You Shook Me All Night Long came on we had already moved onto 7 Minutes in Heaven.  I decided it was my favorite song since it was track number 7, 7 was my favorite number and Dawn and Rich were wrapping up their 7th minute in the closet. 

Last night was my first (and maybe my last if the rumors are true) time seeing them live.  The last of the three songs us photogs are permitted to shoot was Back in Black.  My mouth sang along as my eye was glued to the camera eyepiece.  I have to remember to wipe those smudge marks from my LCD!

The Seattle Weekly has the full slideshow of images, including some of dedicated fans who boldly let me turn the lens on them.

Tonight it's Metalicca at Key Arena!

My good friends Hannah (KEXP, Seattle Weekly) and JJ have teamed up with Scott Kannberg (Pavement, Preston School of Industry) to open a new french inspired bar in Greenwood called Gainsbourg (yes, as in Serge).  They open to the public tonight, so come by and say hey. With these three at the helm it's bound to pull in a good music lovin crowd.

I took some quick pics of the crew a couple weeks back.  The big three:

Bartenders Clarita & Matt:

One of my favorite songs. Always has relevance when I hear it.  Even more so this week. Thank you, Pandora, for reminding me.  

You say the hill's too steep to climb, chiding
You say you'd like to see me try, climbing
You pick the place and I'll choose the time
And I'll climb the hill in my own way
Just wait a while for the right day
And as I rise above the tree-line and the clouds
I look down hear the sound of the things you've said today

Fearlessly the idiot faced the crowd, smiling
Merciless the magistrate turns round, frowning
And who's the fool who wears the crown
Go down in your own way
And every day is the right day
And as you rise above the fear-lines in his brow
You look down hear the sound of the faces in the crowd